Folding bed structure



l, ,5 July 19 1927 G. G. POWERS 636 32 FOLDING BED STRUCTURE July 19,1927. G G. POWERS 1,636,532Y

FOLDING BED STRUCTURE Filed July 9, 1924 2 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Patented July 19, 1927.

UNIT-ED STATES PATENT-oFFlcns.-

GEORGE G. POWERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNION BED & SPRING COM- PANY, OF CIIIGAGrO,A ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FOLDING BED STRUCTURE.

Application filed July 9, 1924. Serial No. 724,937.

My invention relates to folding or collapsible bed structures in general, but pertains more particularly'or especially to what are known in the trade as day beds which, when folded or compacted, resemble couches or sofas, and when unfolded, form complete beds each with two mattress supporting sections in the same plane,'which sectionsin the folded condition of the appliance are positioned one above the other. v

'One obiect of this invent-ion is'to provide a bed structure of this type which is simple in construction, which comprises but few parts, which may be manufactured at relatively small cost, which is easily operated, the parts of which are strongly and adequately supported, and which is unlikely to become damaged or injured in service.

To permit those skilled in this art to have a full and complete understanding of this invention and its various advantages both` structural and functional, in the accompanying drawings foi-innig a partof this specification and throughout the several views of which like reference characters refer to the same parts,'1 have illustrated one desirable and preferred embodiment' of the invention but it isto be understood that many miner mechanical changes maybe incorporated in the depicted structure without departure from the heart and essence. of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the bed structure in unfolded or openposition;

Figure 2 is a partial elevation on an enlarged scale of the bed structure with one of the end pieces removed or the view may be considered as a vertical section just inside one of the end pieces of the structure;

Figure 3 isa similar view on a smaller 'scale illustrating the appliance in open position and may be considered as a vertical section adjacent to one of the end pieces as the structure is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 isa vertical section yon line 4--4 of Figure 2; and f Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 3.' l

The improved and novel folding bed structure comprises two ends 11, 11 of suitable pleasing shape or design and conveniently formed of associated or united tubular elements as is` customary.

Each such end piece on its inner side hasA four, headed studs'12, 12 by means of which the remainder of the bed structure is detachably or demountably secured thereto.v

The bed proper includes a main-frame comprising a pair of rectangular end frame pieces, characterized as a whole 13,113, each formed of a bent, inverted, U-shaped anglebar 14, the vertical legs of 'which'are connected together b a 'horizontal angle-bar 15.

The correspon ing legs of such bent bars 14 of the twocomplementary end frames 13, 13 are fastened together by longitudinallydisposed angle-bars or rails 16, 16 k'crossconnected together at intervals by twisted straps 17, 17, andalso joinedto the corresponding end-frame bars 1`5'by diagonal oroblique braces 18, 18. i

An appropriate or desirable metal bedbottom fabric 19, shown very fragmentarily in Figure 1, is mounted on the horizontal parts ofthe angle-bars 14, 14 as is usual in constructions of this general character.

` At'its rear, this general frame atl its opposite endsis equipped with slotted, channelshaped brackets 21, 21 adapted to accommodate and be supported by the corresponding studs orpins'12,j12 of thetwo end pieces, and, also at the front portions of-its' two ends, itk isvsupplied with slotted `Zshaped brackets or supporting yplates 22, 22 similarly designed to receive and be supported by the complementary studs 12, 12.

The supplemental, bed-spring frame is of similar construction and includes two end frames, each comprising a top, horizontal angle-bar 23 bent down at its front end to provide a supporting leg 24, a short, upright angle-bar 25 connected at its upper end to the horizontal bar23 ata point somewhat in advance of its rear end, the vertical flange Lof the latter being cutaway and the other flange bent down at 26 to provide a suitable smooth finish, and a lower, horizontal angle-bar 27 fastened at its opposite ends to the leg and to the bar 25.

As in the other similar instance, lengthwise rails or bars 28, 28 connect together the two end frames and they are cross-united together by bar or strapmembers 29, 29 and are also equipped with oblique braces 31, 31 at the corners ofthe struct-ure, a suitable bed Vbottom fabric32 being secured at itsv ends to the top bars in the customary manner.

Si) y between itsitwo parallell flanges which are provided abovey the rack with reg- Each end-bar-l5 has a channel-shaped member 32 fastened against its outer face, such member having a horizontal rack 33 istering horizontal slots 36 and 37.

As is clearly shown, the inner flange ofL such rack supporting member is, wider or deeper than its companion'outer flange 34'VA thus affordingappropriate means for securingsuch member in position on the frame.

The secondary or supplemental bedspring'frame at each end is mounted on a parallel-motion 4mechanism whereby such l frame be easily shifted frominoperap as a partial or mntilated gear 4l whose teeth are in. mesh with those of the corresponding f1 Stationary rack, is apertured to receive. a

short shaft 42 extended through the two slots 36 and 37 and adapted to move bodily therein lengthwise such slots.

To keep. such shaft in.l proper position, one

i? end of ithasa headf43 and the other end is apertured to receive a retaining Cotter-pin 44 betweenvwhich and the outer flange 34 a collar or washer 45 is4 desirably interposed.

Each parallel-motion mechanism includes Vin addition a second, bent link 46 hinged to the bar 23` at the point4- and provided at itsk lower end with a partial gear 48 also in mesh, with, the corresponding rack 33.

Theegear endE of. such link is mounted on an angular part 49-of a stud shaft 5l accominod'ated-V in the aligned slots of the rack supporting member and pinned in the end of a long, tubular shaftl 52 common to the pair of4 corresponding links. Near each end-frame; such hollow shaft has'a radial' arm 53 connected by a coil counterbalancing spring 54 tothe rear rail or bar 16, the.l springs and. arms being. so arranged l that they assistin lifting the supplemental bedframe and. yieldingly oppose its descent intoieither operative or inoperativeposition.A

y In its. folded condition, the parts of the bed occupy the positions indicated fully in' Figure 2 with. the auxiliary or movable bedspring section above the lower, main, bedspring part. v y p v:During: ,thel opening or unfolding movement of the bed parts. into their operative positions; as indicated in Figures l and 3, the lower pivots. of the links automatically travel. forwardly by reason ofthe coaction of their gears. or pinions with the racks, whereby a desirable and, improved, movement ofthe parts occurs, the links at all timesbeing in suitable and appropriate position for 34V and 35 effectively supporting the forwardly and upwardly and downwardly moving bed section.

rllhe two springs by their contraction' as sist in elevating the upper. bedsection and desirably oppose its subsequent descent into operative relation with the main bed section,

.thetwo unitedly or conjoint-ly forming a full-size' bed'.v Y

AlVhent-he movable bed section is in lowered operative position as shown in Figure 3, its legs 24, 24 rest on the'floor and support its front part, whereas the two bent links'38, 38 bear on the topsof theI brackets 22,722 which assist in sustaining them, the rear portion of the movable bed section being supported at all times by the pairs of' links 3S, 46. v e y Uien it is desired to fold; the bed, its front section yis raised and moved rearwardly 'as occasioned by its peculiar mounting and such folding of the bed structure is aidedassisted first by the contraction vof vthe springs and then by their subsequent expansion, so that they help the lifting of the parts and counterbalance or'oppose their lowering.

Duringy the unfolding or opening of the bed the pivot shafts 42 and 5l move for-` wardly on their racks and. during the fold.-

ing or closing ofthe bed, they move rearwardly on such racks, which actions are positive by reason, of the intermeshing of the teeth of the gears and racks. Y i f j This assures a desirable` and correct posi-` tioning of the bed-section supporting links under all conditions` and gives the frontbed section advantageous forward and rearward movements which it would `not otherwisek possess.v Y y y The vinvention is not limited and restricted to the precise and exact detailsfof construction. illustrated and described and; thesemay be modilied` with-in. comparatively wideli-mits and still incorporate the fundamental principles of the invention.

if claim: V Y

l, In` a folding-bed construction, ofthe character described,A the combinationV of a stationary bed-section, a movableibed-section iny its inoperative position aboveand in'its operative position inz front ofand; in the plane of said stationary bed-section, legs at the front of the movable bed-section adapted to rest on the floor` in the openconditionof the bed, a supporting linkV at eachiendof the Y stationary bed-section, a movable bed-section in its inoperative position above and in its operative position in front or' and plane of said stationary bed-section, legs at tlie Yiront ot tlie movable bed-section adapted to rest on tbe, `lioor in tlie open Condition of tlie bed, a pair ot supporting links at each end ot the structure eacli pivoted at its upper end to tlie movable bed-section, a pivotal mounting tor the lower end ot each suoli link, and raek and gear means to effectforward and rearward travel of said lower piv# otal mountings during the opening and closing movements oi5 the movable bed-section.

In a folding-bed construction of the character described, the combination of a stationary bed-section, a. movable bed-section in its inoperative position above and in its operative position in front ot and in the plane ot said stationary bedesection, supporting legs at tlie front o' tlie movable bedsection adapted to rest on tbe floor in the open Condition ot' tbe bed, a supporting link at each end oi tlie structure each pivoted at its ripper end to the movable bed-section, a gear rigid with the lower end of each of Said links, and a stationary rack at eacli vend oi the structure in cooperative relation with the corresponding gears, whereby the lower ends ot' said links travel forwardly and rearwardly during the opening and closing movemen'l of tbe movable bedsection.

yl In a folding-bed construction oi':l tbe char ter described, tbe combination ot a stationary bed-seetion,a movable bed-section i 'imperative position above and in its operative position in front of and in the Ilane oi? said stationary bed-Section, legs at tlie troni; ot tlie movable bed-section adaptee to rest on the {loor in the open condition oit tbe bed, a pair ot supporting links at eaeb end or tbe structure eaeli pivoted at its upin tbe y )er end 'ro the movable bed-section, a gear ends of said links travel forwardly and rearwardly during the opening and closing movements of tbe movable bed-section.

5. In a folding-bed construction of the Character described, the combination of a stationary bed-section, a movable bed-section in its inoperative position above and in its operative position in front of and in the plane of said stationary bed-section, legs at Alie front of the movable bed-section adapted to rest von the floor in tbe open condition o1c the bed, a pair of supporting-links at each end of the structure each pivoted at its upper end to the movable bed-section, a pivotal mounting for the lower end of eacli suoli link, rack and gear means to effect `:forwardv and rearward travel of said lower pivotal mountings during the opening and closing movements of the movable 'bed-section, an arm at eacli end of the structure movable angularly and bodily with the lower end of one of said links, and a spring connected to each of said arms to assist in elevating the movable bed-section and to resist its descent. n

G. In a folding-bed construction of the character described, the combination ot a stationary bed-section, a movable bed-section in its inoperative position above and in its operative position in front or and in tlie plane ot said stationary bed-section, legs at llie'tront of the movable bed-section adapted to rest on the floor in tbe open eondition'ot the bed, a pair vor bent supporting links atv eaeli end of the structure each pivoted at its In witness whereof I have hereunto set my liand.

Groen o. rownns 

